Are you considering going away and indulging on a surfing holiday? Or are you a beginner excited to learn something new and exciting this holiday season? Well, experienced and beginner surfers alike, here are several tips you can consider in order to stay safe and to make sure you enjoy yourself.
1. Stay safe. It is very important that you are aware of the dangers of such an excursion. Surfing is a lot of fun; however, it can also be very dangerous. If you are a first timer and yet you really want to go on a surfing holiday, make sure that you have an experienced surfer with you. Also, make sure that you thoroughly research the beach where you plan to surf. Check the weather and tide reports. Is it a safe place to surf in? How will the tides be? Furthermore, steer clear from crowded surfing areas, but still secure to surf at. This is due to the fact that, although the people around you may be experienced surfers, but if you commit a mistake; make a sudden turn; or suddenly pop out of nowhere, you can hurt the people around you. On the other hand, if you are already an experienced surfer, don’t get confident and still bear in mind the possible dangers that you might encounter.
2. Get the right board. If you are really intent on surfing, make sure that you buy the correct board for your skill level. For example as a beginner, you might think that you could save some money by purchasing surf boards which are shorter like what you see other more experienced surfers use. Or you may even want to buy the shorter boards since they weigh lighter and look less intimidating than the larger ones. However, that is not the case. For beginners, the appropriate surf board to use will be the long board since they are easy to float and paddle in. Short boards; on the other hand, are extremely hard to use since they are exceedingly receptive to the water and to your movements; therefore, if you do not have a handle on your board yet, and if you still can’t control it well, you’ll end up falling and hurting yourself.
3. Sunscreen, wetsuits and water. Lastly, never forget to protect yourself from the harmful rays of the sun. Surfing is a very intense activity and it exposes you all day to the heat of the sun; therefore, don’t ever forget to use and apply a waterproof sun block with at least an SPF of 30+. If possible, avoid surfing during the hottest time of the day. Additionally, be dressed in Lycra wetsuits since they don’t become heavy when soaked in the water. Finally, stay hydrated! Drink plenty of fluids to replenish your strength.
Hopefully, these simple surfing tips become of use to you! Whether you’re an experienced surfer, or an excited beginner about to step foot on your first board, please keep these tips in mind for a safer and more enjoyable experience. Follow them and enjoy your time surfing out in the sun.